for rudger

I just feel so grateful this little boy has been sent to our family. He has got us parents and his siblings wrapped around his little finger. 

My favorite thing right now is when he points up at the mantel where the nativity is and says Jesus. But in his incredibly adorable little voice. Heart melting.

for temples

The world is such a crazy, busy, hectic place at time. Too often I find myself getting caught up in the things of this world...they distract me so easily. But the moment I walk through the temple doors, that peaceful feeling I'm yearning for is there. I love that feeling. I want to stay at the temple to keep that feeling with me, but the other part of me is wanting to get home to those kids I love so much. 

My greatest desire is to have that same feeling in my home. That peaceful feeling that I love so much about the temple. 

for corbin

Oh how grateful I am for this boy who is growing up much too fast. I'm loving who he is becoming. He's fun loving, sensitive, energetic, thoughtful, and helps out so much around our home. 

I love how the moment Rudger wakes up he is in there getting him out of his crib (or maybe a few minutes too early) He makes sure that I follow through with certain traditions and activities. They bring comfort to him. He loves to have the whole family right together, even if we aren't doing stuff together.

About a month ago there was a field trip with his class that he really didn't want to go on, so instead he stayed home with me. Later, all the kids had to write a paper about the field trip. He wrote that it was the best field trip ever because he got to stay home with his mom and play together. 

He makes me happy.

for taylor

Oh how I love this second child of ours. He brings such joy into our family. 

I love how he just loves the simple things in life. I love how he explains in such good detail the book (or chapter) he just read. I love his never-ending creativity. (check out that reindeer and santa)

I love how caring he is. We had some sickness in our home last night, he was so helpful without me asking him to. He noticed Corbin didn't have a blanket, so he got him one. He cuddled with Rudger when I just couldn't for a few minutes. He played with Levi so nicely most of the evening. I'm feeling so grateful for this thoughtful boy.  

for our view

The first day we moved into this house, I felt so grateful that again we were able to purchase a home that had a spectacular view. I love the horses and cows, the great big fields, antelope island in the distance, and the breathtaking sunsets. Which also makes me so grateful for my sight. (even though I have to wear glasses instead of contacts right now because I washed mine down the drain)  

for sleep

I'm so grateful that after a long, exhausting day I can tuck each of our boys in their very own beds and let them sleep the night away. They look so peaceful, warm, and comfortable. As I look at their resting bodies, I commit myself to do a little better the next day. Of course, after I have gotten my full nights rest too. 

I am such a heavy sleeper and feel very lucky that Heavenly Father blessed me with four champion sleepers. I couldn't do the all nighters like some tough moms out there.  Sometimes I wish I could do with less sleep than I get, I could get so much more done in a day. But there must be a reason our bodies were made to get that rest. 

Also, I am grateful that we aren't on the schedule we were when Corbin was first born, and Justin was working the night shift. So happy those days are behind us.

for levi

This boy makes my heart so happy. Even when he is being so stubborn, I realize I should be grateful he knows just what he wants. I have noticed some huge growth in this boy. Even though there are some exhausting days, I love his amazing memory, his sweet shyness and yet he is so social, his ability to light up our home, his excitement, his tender heart, and of course his squishiness. 

Today we took Levi to get a hearing test. He didn't pass the tests they do at the school so we needed a more in depth test. (It brought back memories of when I was about his age and had hearing problems.) As I looked through the little window I could see him sitting on the chair, with the headphones over his ears, and trying so hard to get all the 'answers' right. He would bite his lips and timidly raise his hands hoping he was doing it all right. My heart wanted to burst out, he was so grown up.  I am so grateful for this boy.  

Luckily, (I guess you could say that) he does not have any permanent hearing loss. He has had an ear infection for the past month that looks pretty bad in one ear. He never complained about his ears hurting. We will be getting him on medicine right away and going back for another test. And again I'm feeling grateful for modern medicine.